Clinical outcome of shielded patients who have been infected with COVID-19 in Barnsley Borough- June 2020

BACKGROUND: Severe acute respiratory syndrome – coronavirus-2 has caused a pandemic that put the life of extremely vulnerable people who are eligible for shielding from COVID-19 at a greater risk. The UK government had advised those vulnerable people to start shielding by 21st of March 2020. METHODS: This study is a retrospective review of 74 patients who had laboratory confirmed covid 19 disease (tested between 31/03/2020–13/05/2020) and identified by Barnsley hospital information database as eligible for shielding. The reviewed cases were evaluated for clinical outcome, reasons for shielding, demographic distribution, place of residence and history of recent hospital stay. RESULTS: 74 patients [median age 76.4 , males – 53%] were included, of which 48.6% [n = 36, median age 81.5] had died. 43 out of all 74 patients had COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and 24 [56%] of them had died. 24 patients [32.4%] lived in care homes.19 out of all 74 patients were in-patient after 21st March for reasons other than COVID19 and diagnosed with COVID19 following discharge from hospital. CONCLUSION: The study describes notably higher mortality from COVID19 in the shielding group, particularly in elderly patients and those with pre-existing COPD diagnosis. This group must be given priority when offering vaccination. The study has also revealed the need to adopt strict infection control measures to minimise infection transmission in care homes. Introducing a quicker way of testing on admission to hospital (e.g., point of care testing) would facilitate efficient triaging and bed allocation, which could subsequently reduce the risk of nosocomial infection.